It’s Monday Again

New Hope (Scott Prime) had a Kingdom multiplication party last night as they launched the first service in their new satellite location – New Hope Kingston – an approximately 30-minute drive from their Kentville campus. There was an excellent turnout with a fun BBQ & social time that transitioned into a service. Scott celebrates, “Seats were set for 130, but we surpassed that—people had to stand with a solid 150 in attendance! Thankful hearts we have. Exciting times ahead!” Beginning next week there will be regular Sunday morning services offered in Kingston concurrent with the Kentville campus. There are currently 5 more churches on the Atlantic District in planning stages to launch satellites in the next 12-18 months. #kingdommultiplication

• Cornerstone (Denn Guptill) engaged a Maximizing Impact consultation this weekend. I was joined by AJ Plaizier (Yarmouth) and Joel Gorveatte (Moncton) for an energizing weekend of serving this great and healthy church in the Kingswood subdivision of Hammonds Plains. Amongst many notable strengths, the recently launched ministry for 5th & 6th graders (Club 56 pictured below) is having excellent success in meeting the needs of young families and bridging engagement from children’s ministry to youth group. National Superintendent Steve Elliott was onsite Sunday morning to preach in both services prior to the reading of the MI Team report which included 5 strengths, 5 concerns, & 5 corresponding recommendations for the next chapter of Kingdom impact through the Cornerstone family. There are two MI Weekends scheduled in January and March of 2019 – any Lead Pastor interested in exploring this investment for your church may contact our Assistant DS, AJ Plaizier (ajplaizier@gmail.com). #contextualeffectiveness

• Katie Betts began her ministry as Pastor of Worship Arts and Assimilation at Houlton (Wayne Robertson) yesterday for her first official Sunday. She was hired this summer and Wayne is to be commended for his excellence in guiding Katie’s immigration process which was approved last week. Welcome to the Atlantic Ministerial Tribe Katie!

• Saint John First (Graham Perry) held their annual Fall Fest last night with 485 in attendance. In spite of the rain, they had a great night loving on their community!

• The high-octane lineup of innovative speakers pictured above is set to encourage and inspire Wesleyan clergy and spouses at The Gathering this January in Orlando, Florida (see details below). There are currently 129 adults (pastors, spouses, and KU staff) registered from the Atlantic District. If you have been sitting on the fence – it’s time to board the train soon to insure reasonable airfare rates. 101 of those going from Atlantic have had their early bird registration reimbursed in full, totaling a more than $50K investment in our local church pastors. #raisingleaders.
• Andrew Maves (Digby) was featured this week in one of our Wesleyan e-publications (Siftings) with this excellent article highlighting the 14-year impact of the annual Wharf Rat Rally.
• I enjoy receiving local church newsletters and creeping local church Facebook pages on a regular basis. Recently someone on the Perth Andover (Reg Thomas) Facebook page posted the following, “I thank God for helping me find a great church like this one and also thank everyone for making me smile again.” Reg adds, “Norman came to us a couple of months ago. He felt there was something special about our church and started coming faithfully. He is currently enrolled in a small group and I baptized him two weeks ago! He’s a great guy!” Every number has a name, every name has a story, every story matters. Numbers count. #spiritualfoundations

• Ellen and I were privileged to enjoy dinner this week with the Ambassador of TWC and GS Emerita Jo Anne Lyon and Executive Director Tanya Nace (Wolrd Hope International Canada). The ongoing scope of Dr. Lyon’s global influence is a celebrated reality and can only be explained by the favour of God. This dynamic duo completed their Atlantic District tour yesterday morning in Yarmouth (pictured above). AJ Plaizier tweeted, “So appreciative of the ministry of @JoAnneLyonGS and Tanya Nace. The Wesleyan Church is blessed to have such gifted and anointed women leaders!” #global collective
• DDGP Announcement: Pastors and Leaders, looking for ways to engage your church in our District Core Values (Exploration Essentials)? Denn Guptill our District Director of Global Partners has some exciting options that he would love to share with you. Even our smallest churches can take part in having a global impact on Leadership Development. For more details, contact Denn at denn@cornerstonehfx.ca or (902) 818-8770 #globalcollective #raisingleaders #strongertogether
• Sometimes church leaders receive random emails with detailed concerns. It comes with the job. It is always nice when someone sends an email like the one I received this weekend which read, “I feel our church [Crosspoint] has recently experienced a genuine, fresh breath of ‘HIS’ Spirit working. The staff are focused on family, community, and togetherness.” A nice note for the end of Pastor Appreciation Month – wouldn’t you agree Mark Brewer? Why not send your pastor a note of encouragement today!?

• Easton (Tony Stevens) held its 3rd annual trunk or treat event on Saturday. 155 kids (and lots of parents and older siblings) came through the trunk line and also came inside the church for a great time of fun and prizes. Tony shares, “This included a performance of Christian-based juggling and illusion by the Supreme Court Jesters. It was a little cold and a little snowy but a lot of fun.” The Supreme Court Jesters also shared on Sunday morning about their mission trip this past summer to Uganda.
• National Superintendent Steve Elliott provided a Spiritual Gifts Seminar on Saturday at Amherst (Evan Oxner). Evan reports that it literally brought tears to the eyes of some who attended. With 27 people taking part it was an incredibly valuable morning that resulted in a growing focus and confidence on God’s desire and ability to equip all believers to do the work of The Church. #spiritualfoundations #raisingleaders

• Jonesport (Andy Philips) held its annual Trunk-N-Treat community outreach at the local elementary school on Saturday and had 112 kids come through the candy line and stay to play games.

Sincere condolences are expressed on behalf of the Atlantic District to Rev. Gary & Debbie Churchill on last week’s passing of her mother, Lillian Adams. Two services were held to honour and celebrate Lillian’s life. The first was on Thursday in Miramichi which was followed by another on Saturday with her long-time church family at Port Maitland Wesleyan. Her full obituary and memorial donation information are available on the Northumberland Funeral Home website.

THOT: Growing a church is easier than changing its DNA. (AJ Plaizier)

On Second THOT: Someone at Kodak invented the digital camera, but the company thought they were in the film business, not the photo business. Christians sometimes think we are in the church business, but we are in the Jesus business. (Mike MacNeil)

Bonus THOT: The word ‘christian’ means different things to different people. To one person it means a stiff, upright, inflexible way of life, colorless and unbending. To another it means a risky, surprised-filled adventure, lived tiptoe at the edge of expectation…If we get our information from the biblical material, there is no doubt that the Christian life is a dancing, leaping, daring life. (Thank you, Eugene Peterson – for practicing what you preached!)

YARMOUTH WESLEYAN CHURCH 
Thursday, November 1st, 9:30-4:30
Keynote Speakers Including : AJ Thomas, Kevin Vincent, Brent Ingersoll, Mike Miller & L.D. Buckingham

THE ROCK CHURCH HALIFAX
Friday, November 2nd, 9:30-4:30
Keynote Speakers: Jerry Reddy, James Mallon, AJ Thomas, Kevin Vincent & L.D. Buckingham

For more information and to register please visit the BLI website.

Download Yarmouth (Nov 1) Promo Poster
Download Halifax (Nov 2) Promo Poster

Encounter, a dynamic youth event, is happening this November 2-3. It is designed to engage you in worship, through music and the Word, and to challenge you to explore the call God has placed on your life. It also introduces you to Kingswood University, to see if this may be the place God is leading you to train for ministry.

It is for students in grades eight through twelve. The early-bird registration fee is $60 CAD per person (including HST).
Registration deadline without penalty is October 19th, 2018.

For more information and to register visit the Kingswood University website.

For more information and to register please check out the event page.

November 9 – Moncton
November 10 – Halifax

WHAT IS BASE CAMP?
The Ascent Base Camp is a one-day immersion in the vision, values, tools and training that are required for the church planting venture. You will learn from seasoned church planters and get input from church planting strategists who will help you discern if this “climb” is one you should attempt.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• Senior leaders who bring along younger leaders they are working with.
• Young leaders who may not yet know how God has gifted and called them.
• Anyone who is curious about the calling and challenges of church planting.
• Students who are discerning God’s call for future ministry.
• Those considering a call to ministry, regardless of the specific field, or path.

WHY ATTEND A BASE CAMP?
Like climbing a mountain peak, church planting requires much preparation and skill. The vistas from the peak are not reached without strict training, Spirit-dependency, and much prayer. Many hazards line the path up the mountain. As you consider the call God may be placing on your life – and specifically the potential of planting a church – wisdom would advise that you gain insight from those who have gone before.

Base Camp is just one step along the journey, but as you consider God’s call, it may be that Base Camp will clarify and strengthen your call and your resolve.

COST
• Early Bird Rate – $20 per person
• One Week Prior – $25 per person

For more information and to register: www.ascentbasecamp.com

January 9-12, 2019
Orlando, Florida at The Caribe Royale

More than a minister’s conference. The Gathering is a reunion of ministry family and friends. A sabbath for our souls. Coming together to stop, rest, pray, play and thrive.  A chance to celebrate what God is doing in our lives and ministry through meals, stories, inspiration and worship.  We know this will be a gathering you won’t want to miss!